How Choose a topic of interest, spend a little time researching it, have a discussion then publish the notes - which are available on the site to read along!

Why The main benefits are the fostering of a greater understanding of the world before we die and hopefully, to prompt further thought and discussion from our listeners.

The topic we will be discussing in this episode is American Conservatism

Topic Overview

Avoiding godless communism. This is done by promoting prayer in school, believing climate change is a hoax, opposing abortion, supporting American exceptionalism, and generally only caring about one’s own needs. Screw everyone else, it’s all about me. Perhaps American Conservatism is actually a personality disorder like sociopathy. And how can we so reliably predict what a person’s stance on climate change is by knowing where they stand on same-sex marriage? Isn’t this tribe mentality? How far have we regressed? And since when was Jesus a conservative for Christ’s sake?

Off-topic

What we’re not talking about

gobstoppers

Talking Points

Each bullet is a talking point. Sub-bullets are topics that may or may not be covered. Usage: Read the bullet and sub-bullets then talk about some or all sub-bullets.

American Conservatism is a broad system of political beliefs in the United States that is characterized by respect for American traditions, support for Judeo-Christian values, economic liberalism, anti-communism, advocacy of American exceptionalism and a defense of Western culture from perceived threats posed by creeping socialism, moral relativism, multiculturalism, and liberal internationalism.

Common conservative talking points:

don’t want to pay taxes

Abortions should be outlawed

Judeo-Christianity is where it’s at. Godlessness leads to Auschwitz

And various problems arising from believing we get morals and guidance from a set of books written thousands of years ago.

Liberals are Communists/Fascists

Conservatism or Populism?

Poster Boys:

Ann Coulter

"Whether they are defending the Soviet Union or bleating for Saddam Hussein, liberals are always against America. They are either traitors or idiots."

Dennis Prager

I listened to a talk of his which didn’t make a lot of sense

Sean Hannity

Reagan

‘Trickle down economics’

Christianity

Abortion

Roe vs Wade

American Exceptionalism

‘America First’

Freedom brings wealth

Patriotism

Taxes

Perceived as fascistic theft

Deregulation, smaller government

Socialism is evil

Voluntarism versus Collectivism

Social justice militia

Equality at all costs and in every direction

The anathema of radical social engineering

The fear of uncertainty - Glenn Wilson, British psychologist on conservatism

Changing meaning of the word (Abe Lincoln)

In the Media

Breitbart

Fox News

Just been watching Bill O’Reilly talking about Liberal vs Conservative Americans on youtube. He uses pseudoscience and outright lies to defend his argument.

Left leaning Media. Are they just as bad?

BBC

The Grauniad

Others

Media bias against conservatives. It’s there, countless examples.

That Upton Sinclair quote:

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”

Finding lots of instances of where this applies

The role that religion plays in all of this

Second amendment rights

Law enforcement

Melting Pot vs Salad Bowl. This view of cultural assimilation or multiculturalism may be a tad hypocritical of conservatives.

The Heritage Foundation

Milton Friedman

William F Buckley/National Review

Costs money to read that I’m unwilling to spend

Glossary

Terminology specific to the topic

Demagogue A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument. A populist.